Grain-distributer.



Patented May I5, I900.

R. J, MOULTON. GBA IN DISTRIBUTER.

(Application filed Nov. 10, 1899.)

(No Model.)

INVENT'QR RANDOLPH J. l wL/LTON,

HIS ATT m: NORRIS PETERS cc, FHOYQ-LATHQ, WASHINGTON n. c.

25 distributing spout.

the different bins.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FEIcE.

RANDOLPH .l. MOULTON, OF MINNEAPOLIS, lVllNNESOTlA.

GRAIN-DISTRIBUTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 649,702, dated May 15,1900.

Application filed November 10, 1699. Serial No. 736,466. (No model.)

useful Improvements in Grain-Distributers,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in grain-distributers designedfor use in connection with grain-elevators; and the object 1 IO have inview is to provide means for giving an alarm or notifying an attendantwhen any bin with which the distributer is connected has become filledwith grain.

The invention consists generally in various I 5 constructions andcombinations, all as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed outin the claims.

The drawing forming part of this specification is a side elevation of aportion of a grain-elevator leg and head with my improvedgrain-distributer applied thereto.

In the drawing, 2 represents a portion of a grain-elevator leg, and 3thehead through which the grain is delivered into a swiveled Thesedistributingspouts are usually located upon the machinery-floor or nearthe top of the elevatorbuilding, and they conduct the grain from theelevator-head to suitable openings leading to I have shown in thedrawing the usual floor 5, arranged over the bins or a portion thereof,and I have shown one of the openings 7 in the floor. A number of suchopenings are generally used, arranged 3 5 in a segment of a circle, sothat the distributing-spout may be turned from one opening to another.It is usual to place a swivel-spout on the under side of theelevator-head, which spout is preferably supported by a suitablestandard 9, to which is secured a Wheel or pulley 11, and a cable 12,passing around this pulley, extends to the lower floor of the elevatoror to any other convenient point and is so arranged that the attendantor operator may, through means of the cable, turn the spout from oneopening to another. The spout 13 that I have here shown is swiveled uponthe head and supported by the standard 9 in the usual manner. I providethe spout 13 with an overflow-opening 14, which is covered by a suitableplate 15, the lower end of said plate beingraised above the lower wallof the spout. Below the opening 14. I preferably provide a small pan orreceptacle 16, supported by a bail 17 upon a pivoted lcver 18. Thislever is preferably provided with an adjustable counterweight 19. Aninsulated contact-point 20 is arranged in position to be engaged by theend of the lever 18 when the receptacle 16 is depressed. The lever 18and the contact-point 20 are arranged in an electrical circuit with asuitable bell 21 by means of conductors 22 and battery 23. This bell maybe located on the lower floor of the elevator in another building, or atany other convenient or desired point. So long as the grain passesfreely through the distributer none of it escapes through the opening1 1. When the bin with which the distributer is connected becomes filledwith grain, the grain backs up in the distributingspout and flows outunder the plate 15,through the opening 14, and falls into the receptacle16. This causes said receptacle to be depressed, turning the lever 18upon its pivot, closing the circuit, and sounding the hell or alarm andnotifying the attendant that the bin with which the distributer is thenconnected is full of grain. t

I also prefer to construct the distributor 13 with a pivoted lowersection 25, having, preferably, a curved lower end to properly directthe grain through the opening in the floor 5. This lower section of thedistributor is rectangularin cross-section and is preferably connectedto the main section, the lower end of which is also rectangular incross-section, by a suitable pivot or pivots 27. An arm 28 is alsoconnected to the lower section 25, and a cord 29, connected to this arm,extends over a suitable pulley 30 and to the bottom of the elevator orthe main floor or to any other convenient point. By pulling downward onthe cord 29 the lower section 25 of the distributor is raised into theposition indicated by dotted lines in the drawing, thereby clearing thecollar 31, which may be used around the opening 7 in the floor. With thelower section raised into this position it will serve as a gate to shutoif the flow of the grain through the distributor. The distributer maythen be turned to connect with another bin, and while it is being soturned none of the grain will be permitted to flow out on the floor 5.

While I have shown and described the pivoted lower section in connectionwith the distributing-spout, I make no claim in this application to theinvention, as said section forms the subject-matter of a divisionalapplication,executed February 9,1900,filed February 12, 1900, Serial No.4,952.

I do not limit myself to the details of construction herein shown anddescribed. Instead of using an electrical signal or alarm I may use amechanically-operated signal that is operated by the movement of thereceptacle 16 or I may permit the grain to run from the opening 14 to apoint on the main floor of the elevator, where it will attract theattention of the attendant or operator, and thus serve to give notice ofthe filling of the bin.

1 claim as my invention- 1. A gravity grain-distributor provided in itswalls with an overflow-opening, a recep tacle into which the grainpasses from said overflow-opening, and an alarm arranged to be operatedby the movement of said receptacle.

2. A grain -distributer provided with an overflow-opening, an inclinedplate extending over said opening and having its lower end raised abovethe lower wall of the distributer, whereby as the grain backs up in thedistributer it is permitted to escape under said plate and through saidopening and means for signaling the attendant when grain escapes throughsaid opening, substantially as described.

3. A gravity grain-spout, provided in its walls with a hole or openingthrough which the overflow of grain may pass and means arranged belowsaid spout and actuated by the weight of the falling grain for signalingthe attendant that grain is escaping through said opening, substantiallyas described.

4:. A grain-distributer provided with an overflow-opening, incombinatiomwith a movable receptacle, adapted to receive grain passingthrough said overflow-opening, a pivoted lever upon which saidreceptacle is supported and an alarm or signal adapted to be operated bythe movement of said lever.

In testimony whereof I have set my hand this 6th day of November, 1899.

RANDOLPH J. MOULTON.

In presence of RICHARD PAUL, A. 0. PAUL.

